Device for aerobic exercise

ABSTRACT

In a device for aerobic exercise, a resilient bladder body has a bottom wall disposed on a base frame, a curved surrounding wall connected to the bottom wall so as to define a fluid-receiving space therebetween, and a surrounding flange extending downwardly from the curved surrounding wall and disposed to surround the base frame. The bladder body defines a first axis that passes through a center of the bottom wall and along which the bottom wall has a width, and a second axis which passes through the center of the bottom wall and a top wall portion of the surrounding wall, which is transverse to the first axis and along which the curved surrounding wall has a maximum height less than the width of the bottom wall. The top wall portion has a rigidity greater than that of the surrounding wall portion and less than that of the bottom wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an exercise device, more particularly to a device for aerobic exercise.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional rigid board 1 used for aerobic step exercise.

Although the above-mentioned conventional step board 1 can achieve its intended purpose, the operation of the conventional board 1 is monotonous such that the functionality and effect thereof are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device suitable for performing different aerobic exercises.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for aerobic exercise, which comprises:

a base frame; and

a resilient bladder body mounted on the base frame, the bladder body having a bottom wall disposed on the base frame and having a first rim, a curved surrounding wall with a second rim connected to the first rim of the bottom wall so as to define a fluid-receiving space, and a surrounding flange extending downwardly from the second rim of the curved surrounding wall and disposed to surround the base frame, the curved surrounding wall having a top wall portion, and a curved surrounding wall portion connected to the top wall portion and formed with the second rim, the bladder body defining a first axis that passes through a center of the bottom wall and along which the bottom wall has a width, and a second axis which passes through the center of the bottom wall and the top wall portion of the surrounding wall, which is transverse to the first axis and along which the curved surrounding wall has a maximum height less than the width of the bottom wall, the top wall portion having a rigidity greater than that of the surrounding wall portion and less than that of the bottom wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a conventional board in a state of use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of a device for aerobic exercise according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the first preferred embodiment, taken along line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 to 13 illustrate a series of exercises that can be performed using the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a partly exploded perspective view showing the second preferred embodiment of a device for aerobic exercise according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of the second preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of a device for aerobic exercise according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the first preferred embodiment for a device for aerobic exercise according to the present invention is shown to include a base frame 20, a resilient bladder body 10, a plurality of fasteners 30, and a plurality of pull cords 40.

The base flame 20 is adapted to be disposed on a plane 100 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the base frame 20 includes a looped outer frame portion 21, which is generally rectangular in shape and has rounded corners, and a plurality of reinforcing members 22 disposed in and connected to the outer frame portion 21. The outer frame portion 21 is provided with a plurality of hooks 23, as best shown in FIG. 2. The base frame 20 has a bottom side with a plurality of anti-slip pads 24 mounted thereon, as shown in FIG. 4.

The bladder body 10, which is mounted on the base frame 20, has a bottom wall 11 disposed on the base frame 20 and having a first rim 110 (see FIG. 5), a curved surrounding wall 12 with a second rim 120 (see FIG. 5) connected to the first rim 110 of the bottom wall 10 so as to define a fluid-receiving space 14 for receiving a fluid, such as air or water, and a surrounding flange 13 extending downwardly from the second rim 120 of the curved surrounding wall 12 and disposed to surround the base frame 20. In this embodiment, the fluid-receiving space 14 is filled with air. Moreover, in order to enhance stability of the bladder body 10, the fluid-receiving space 14 maybe additionally filled with an amount of liquid or sand (not shown). The curved surrounding wall 12 has a top wall portion 121, and a curved surrounding wall portion 122 connected to the top wall portion 121 and formed with the second rim 120. The bladder body 10 defines a first axis (x) that passes through a center of the bottom wall 11 and along which the bottom wall 11 has a width (w), and a second axis (y) which passes through the center of the bottom wall 11 and the top wall portion 121 of the curved surrounding wall 12, which is transverse to the first axis (x) and along which the curved surrounding wall 12 has a maximum height (h) less than the width (w) of the bottom wall 11, as best shown in FIG. 5.

In this embodiment, the bottom wall 11 is generally rectangular in shape and has rounded corners so as to complement the base frame 20. It is noted that the bottom wall 11 can also be circular or elliptical in shape, or can be square in shape with rounded corners. In this embodiment, the maximum height (h) is less than a minimum width (w) of the generally rectangular bottom wall 11. The bottom wall 11 further has an outer surface 1100 formed with a plurality of treads 111 for enhancing the rigidity of the bottom wall 11, and a plurality of receiving grooves 112 (only one is shown in FIG. 5) for receiving the reinforcing members 22, respectively.

In this embodiment, the surrounding wall 12 has an outer surface 1200 formed with a plurality of rounded projections 123. The top wall portion 121 of the surrounding wall 12 has a slightly convex outer surface 1212, which is a part of the outer surface 120, formed with a spiral reinforcing rib 1211, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, the rounded projections 123 on the top wall portion 121 of the surrounding wall 122 may be formed with a higher density as compared to those on the surrounding wall portion 122. As such, the top wall portion 121 has a rigidity greater than that of the surrounding wall portion 122 but less than that of the bottom wall 11.

The fasteners 30 fasten the surrounding flange 13 to the base frame 20.

Each of the pull cords 40, which are elastic, has one end hooked onto a corresponding one of the hooks 23 on the base frame 20, and the other end adapted to be pulled by a user during exercise.

Thus, the following exercises can be performed using the first preferred embodiment of the present invention:

1. Referring to FIG. 6, the user can stand on the top wall portion 121 of the surrounding wall 12 using one foot or both feet so as to perform balance training. Since the rigidity of the top wall portion 121 is greater than that of the surrounding wall portion 122, a slight deformation of the top wall portion 121 occurs so as to result in a substantially a planar surface that permits the user to stand stably on the top wall portion 121.

2. Referring to FIG. 7, the user can perform an aerobic step exercise.

3. Referring to FIG. 8, the user's back can lie on the bladder body 10 so as to perform abdominal exercise for training of back and stomach muscles.

4. Referring to FIG. 9, the user's waist can lie on the bladder body 10 during stretching of the user's muscles.

5. Referring to FIG. 10, when the user sits on the bladder body 10 with both hands pulling upwardly the other ends of the pull cords 40, respectively, training of the forearm muscles can be attained.

6. Referring to FIG. 11, when the user lies on the bladder body 10 with both feet pushing against the other ends of the pull cords 40, respectively, training of the leg muscles can be attained.

7. Referring to FIG. 12, when the user lies on the bladder body 10 with both hands pulling upwardly the other ends of the pull cords 40, respectively, training of the arm muscles can be attained.

8. Referring to FIG. 13, when the user stands on the bladder body 10 with both hands grasping the other ends of the pull cords 40, respectively, training of the arm muscles can be similarly attained.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a device for aerobic exercise according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. Unlike the previous embodiment, the base frame 20′ has a curved top surface 25 formed with a plurality of anti-slip treads 251 (see FIG. 15). The top surface 25 is slightly convex. The bottom side of the base frame 20′ is configured with the reinforcing members 27. The outer frame 21 has a bottom side with the anti-slip pads 28 mounted thereon.

FIG. 16 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a device for aerobic exercise according to this invention, which is a modification of the second preferred embodiment. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 15, the base frame 20″ has a substantially planar top surface 25′.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A device for aerobic exercise, comprising: a base frame; and a resilient bladder body mounted on said base frame, said bladder body having a bottom wall disposed on said base frame and having a first rim, a curved surrounding wall with a second rim connected to said first rim of said bottom wall so as to define a fluid-receiving space, and a surrounding flange extending downwardly from said second rim of said curved surrounding wall and disposed to surround said base frame, said curved surrounding wall having a top wall portion, and a curved surrounding wall portion connected to said top wall portion and formed with said second rim, said bladder body defining a first axis that passes through a center of said bottom wall and along which said bottom wall has a width, and a second axis which passes through the center of said bottom wall and said top wall portion of said surrounding wall, which is transverse to the first axis and along which said curved surrounding wall has a maximum height less than the width of said bottom wall, said top wall portion having a rigidity greater than that of said surrounding wall portion and less than that of said bottom wall.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top wall portion of said surrounding wall has a slightly convex outer surface.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top wall portion of said surrounding wall has an outer surface formed with a spiral reinforcing rib.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom wall has an outer surface formed with a plurality of treads.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surrounding wall has an outer surface formed with a plurality of rounded projections.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom wall is generally rectangular in shape and has rounded corners, and the maximum height is less than a minimum width of said bottom wall.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners for fastening said surrounding flange to said base frame.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pull cords, each of which is connected to said base frame at one end.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said pull cords is elastic.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said base frame is provided with a plurality of hooks for connecting with said pull cords, respectively.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame includes a looped outer frame portion and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed in and connected to said outer frame portion, said bottom wall of said bladder body being formed with a plurality of receiving grooves for receiving said reinforcing members, respectively.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame has a bottom side with a plurality of anti-slip pads mounted thereon.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame has a top surface formed with a plurality of anti-slip treads.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame has a curved top surface.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said top surface of said base frame is slightly convex.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame has a substantially planar top surface. 